Honors College Theses
Publication Date
4-20-2015
Major
Biology (B.S.B.)
Document Type and Release Option
Thesis (open access)
Faculty Mentor
Lance Durden
Abstract
Scanning Electron Micrographs were prepared of four morphologically diagnostic regions (dorsal capitulum, ventral capitulum, scutum, leg coxae) for the larval stage of the 16 species of ixodid (hard) ticks known to parasitize humans in the USA. These species are: Amblyomma americanum, A. maculatum, A. mixtum, A. tuberculatum, Dermacentor albipictus, D. andersoni, D. occidentalis, D. variabilis, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris, Ixodes angustus, I. cookei, I. pacificus, I. scapularis, I. spinipalpis, I. texanus, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Based on the morphological characters observed, a dichotomous identification key to ixodid larvae that parasitize humans in the USA was prepared. Common names, hosts and geographical distributions are included for each tick species.
Recommended Citation
Coley, Kymbreana, "Identification Guide to Larval Stages of Ticks of Medical Importance in the USA" (2015). Honors College Theses. 110.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/honors-theses/110
